Made with creamy cottage cheese, fresh bananas, and vanilla, this protein-packed cottage cheese smoothie really tastes like banana cheesecake! This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Friendship Dairies. All opinions are 100% mine.
Banana Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Smoothie
What do you think of when you think of cottage cheese? Do you think, “Funky diet food that grandma ate”?
I confess that I used to think the same thing. An early experience with a plain scoop of the stuff topped with a single canned peach slice was enough to discourage any further experimentation.
Until now.
And, truthfully, I cannot believe what I have been missing out on for so long. Did you know that when you blend cottage cheese into a smoothie, it tastes like liquid cheesecake? It does!
Armed with this exciting revelation, I’ve been putting my blender to work and testing cottage cheese smoothie recipes. The result you see here is nothing short of mindblowing.
It’s utterly smooth. Rapturously thick. If I hadn’t told you there was cottage cheese in it, you’d assume I’d actually thrown a cheesecake in the blender. I kid you not.
I drink this smoothie to fuel up for my busy day, which usually involves running around a lot, washing several thousand dishes, coming up with clever things to write, and the occasional bout of bellydancing.
I’m using Friendship Dairies cottage cheese for this recipe, which I picked up at my local Publix. Thanks to Friendship Dairies, I’ve learned that cottage cheese is not only creamy and delicious, but is also high in protein (15 grams per serving in the 1% milkfat kind). 
You can use it in smoothies, dips (both sweet and savory), and breakfast bowls. Take a look at some cottage cheese recipes to get inspired, and check out the The Original Superfood generator to make your own healthy cottage cheese and mix-in combination.
I’d love to hear what’s Your Fancy that you’re fueling up for! You can join the conversation with #FuelYourFancy, or tag your favorite Friendship Dairies cottage cheese recipe with #TheOriginalSuperfood. 
Tips for Making a Cottage Cheese Smoothie
- Vanilla bean paste has a unique flavor that is different from vanilla extract, but you can substitute vanilla extract equally well.
- Swap out the frozen banana chunks for frozen strawberries to make a strawberry cheesecake smoothie. You may need to add a touch more honey since strawberries are less sweet than bananas.
- This recipe easily doubles to serve more than one person.
- Like all homemade smoothies, you’ll want to make it fresh and drink it right away.
- To complete the cheesecake taste, garnish with optional graham cracker crumbles. If you love the graham cracker taste, add a layer of graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of the glass first, before you pour in the smoothie. Then add a second layer on top!
Banana Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Made with creamy cottage cheese, fresh bananas, and vanilla, this protein-packed cottage cheese smoothie really tastes like banana cheesecake!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1% milkfat
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 banana cut into chunks and frozen
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 cup ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition facts are approximate. Please consult a nutritionist if you have specific nutritional needs.
Visit Friendship Dairies for even more inspiration!
kita bryant
June 13, 2016 at 4:03 pmOh this is a great quick way to get a little something sweet without a real cheesecake taking up all the calories. I have to try this one as one of our dessert days
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:48 amThat’s the fun of it! You’ll think you’re having cheesecake, but it’s really a protein-packed boost!
Censie Sawyer
June 13, 2016 at 5:36 pmOh my gosh! This looks amazing. I add Cottage Cheese to my smoothies too. It is a great way to make the smoothies thicker. Yummy! I have never never made a cheesecake smoothie though.
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:49 amIt’s that vanilla bean paste that makes the difference. Those little flecks make an amazing taste.
Jenn
June 13, 2016 at 8:50 pmThis sounds really yummy, and so easy to make. I would have to doctor the recipes some because our daughter is allergic to bananas. I’m sure I can make it just as good.
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:50 amI think any frozen fruit would work fine- all you might need to do is add a little extra sweetener to compensate.
Kristy @ Mommy Hates Cooking
June 13, 2016 at 9:29 pmI eat smoothies on a regular basis, almost daily. And cottage cheese, as well. I never in a million years would have thought to pair the two together. But this combination sounds absolutely delicious!
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:51 amThank you! It really is. I can’t believe I never tried it before!
Heather Wilson
June 14, 2016 at 2:42 amCheesecake in a smoothie means only one thing – smoothie just got better! Kudos to you for that wonderful addition of cottage cheese! This cheesecake cottage smoothie looks so versatile that we can literally add any fruit or fruits and everything will just magically blend well together. YUM!
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:47 amYes, exactly! We made a strawberry cheesecake smoothie variation yesterday.
Aileen Adalid
June 14, 2016 at 8:35 amOMG smoothie cheesecake? GIVE EM TO ME! This looks so gooooood and I know that a lot of my friends would go gaga over such a drink like this. 😀 I’ll surely be giving this a try
Katie
June 14, 2016 at 9:52 amI hope so! 🙂 It really tastes like a decadent dessert.
Bites for Foodies
June 14, 2016 at 1:24 pmWhat a great combination of flavours! I’m sure this is delicious! I love the addition of the vanilla bean…I am addicted to vanilla bean! I actually found vanilla bean powder recently-it is pricey like the bean but goes a LONG way! It’s a tiny container and has lasted for months!! You should look for some 😉
Katie
June 15, 2016 at 9:54 pmOooh, powder! How handy! I’ll have to look for that.
Michelle Cantu
June 14, 2016 at 2:12 pmI love Vanilla bean everything. I’ve actually never tried making recipes with vanilla bean paste. This recipe sound easy enough, can’t wait to try a smoothie.
Katie
June 15, 2016 at 9:53 pmVanilla bean paste is the bomb. Makes everything have that vanilla ice cream flavor!
Tee
June 14, 2016 at 2:48 pmIt’s amazing how many different things you can make with cottage cheese. A smoothie? I’d never think of that! I love how the smoothie came out. Looks delish!
Farrah Less
June 15, 2016 at 11:21 amNow that summer is here and family and friends gathering is here and there. Smoothies can be a big hit for everyone. A healthy and delicious one will be a good fit for most of us. I have to try this refreshing desert soon.
Katie
June 15, 2016 at 9:50 pmI hope you enjoy it!
Tiffany
June 15, 2016 at 8:21 pmMy Teenage loves making and creating new and different smoothies but I don’t think he’s tried cottage cheese just yet. I will have to pass this recipe on to him for sure.
Katie
June 15, 2016 at 9:50 pmIt’s so high in protein that it’s great for growing boys (and girls)!